It was touted as the battle of equals with Sanjay Dutt's KNOCK OUT taking on Ajay Devgn's AAKROSH. Two top stars starring in well mounted projects, directed by names like National Award winner Priyadarshan and the technically brilliant Mani Shankar.

While neither of the two could set the box-office on fire (as we had hinted in our box office report), it turned out to be a totally one sided battle with Kumar Mangat's AAKROSH netting around 7.50 crores during it's opening weekend as opposed to a paltry 2.50 cores by Sohail Maklai's KNOCK OUT. Not only that even as far as the critical acclaim and the audience's positive response is concerned, it has been strongly in favour of AAKROSH. The third release of the same week, the animated RAMAYANA - THE EPIC, was taken off at many places mid-week but will expectedly score in the DVD circuit.

Here's hoping that just like Ajay-Akshaye's DEEWANGEE, which started on a somewhat dull note but picked up later, AAKROSH too emulates the former and turns out to be a plus fare in the long run.